To learn exactly how to make meetings a less dreaded experience, I interviewed Jon Petz, a time management expert who is the author of "Boring Meetings Suck."

As a corporate executive, Jon started thinking about meeting efficiency because he couldn't stand boring meetings. In fact, he stopped attending meetings all together. When some of his coworkers challenged him to run a meeting he'd actually like to attend, Jon came up with ground rules and ran his first productive meeting. He refined his ideas even more and eventually left his job to work on this full time. These days, he helps other companies improve their meetings and also works as a motivational speaker and magician.

In the podcast, Jon discusses his unique career path (hey, I'd never met anyone who has done this before!) and provides some excellent tips on how to have productive meetings - even when you're the youngest person in the room. To get a flavor of his approach, here are five components every meeting should have, according to Jon:

Meetings must have a clear focus. The first five minutes is dedicated to stating the clear objective and desired outcome of the meeting.

Meetings shall not be held to just review material. Materials shall be reviewed before any meetings are held. If material has not been reviewed, then no meeting shall be held. If the material has not been reviewed at the time the meeting begins, then the meeting shall be cancelled and rescheduled.

Meeting shall be used to resolve, develop and interact creatively and amicably.

Meeting presenters are not allowed to prepare in FRONT of the audience. They must come prepared or not come at all.

NEVER ask or allow "What did I miss?" Do not let stragglers commandeer control of the floor. Do not aggravate, punish and disrespect the other people in your conference. Do not rehash what has already been discussed.